Stow, OH 01-03-2017
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Audio-Technica today announced the introduction of its ATH-DSR9BT and ATH-DSR7BT Wireless Headphones with Pure Digital Drive technology. Both models are the first headphones with Bluetooth wireless technology to employ Audio-Technica’s new Pure Digital Drive system, which keeps the audio signal completely digital from source to driver to offer never before-available wireless headphone sound quality.

Typically, in headphones using Bluetooth wireless technology, the digital signal goes through a series of steps that process and transform the wireless signal. With each processing step, there’s an opportunity for distortion and disruption in the audio quality. With the Pure Digital Drive system used in the ATH-DSR9BT and ATH-DSR7BT, Audio-Technica combines its engineering know-how of designing headphone drivers and the latest technology. The Trigence Semiconductor Dnote® chipset is used instead of a traditional D/A converter and amplifier. The Dnote system keeps the audio signal entirely in the digital domain from the source right through to the driver, thereby eliminating the opportunities for disruption or distortion that occur in the conversion stages employed in traditional systems. The digital pulses generated by the chipset directly excite the voice coil(s) of the driver to move the diaphragm forward and backward to create the sound waves heard by the user.

In order to make the Pure Digital Drive technology a practical reality, Audio-Technica needed to engineer the drivers from the ground up. A unique four-wire voice coil is used in the ATH-DSR9BT to provide precise control of the diaphragm displacement, resulting in improved accuracy in the audio representation. The ATH-DSR9BT’s True Motion D/A Driver uses a new, very light and responsive 45 mm driver diaphragm coated with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) for superlative fidelity, and the ATH-DSR7BT employs a 45 mm True Motion Driver.

The ATH-DSR9BT has an acoustic damper inside its housing to control the airflow in front and behind the diaphragm to further tailor the sound to achieve smoother, more natural audio reproduction across the entire frequency range. The driver assemblies and housings are engineered to operate together as a complete system to deliver the required volume output along with wide frequency response and high efficiency, and take best advantage of the exceptional sonic purity provided by the Pure Digital Drive system.

The ATH-DSR7BT is built upon the design and engineering of the acclaimed ATH-MSR7, winner of the Reviewed.com/USA TODAY 2015 Best Headphones of the Year Award. The ATH-DSR7BT and ATH-MSR7 share features of their drivers and driver housings, including lightweight voice coils and a specially designed diaphragm to improve transient response of the driver. The headphones’ printed circuit boards are mounted away from where they could interfere with the driver’s acoustic response, and a layered aluminum housing reduces unwanted vibration and controls internal airflow for maximum audio clarity.

The Pure Digital Drive system also enables the ATH-DSR9BT and ATH-DSR7BT to overcome the sonic limitations of conventional Bluetooth transmission. The headphones support aptX® HD, aptX and AAC codecs (as well as the SBC format) at up to 24-bit/96kHz and up to 24-bit/48kHz signals in Bluetooth mode. Both feature NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality for ready pairing with an NFC-compatible device and remember up to eight devices for automatic re-pairing. Both models feature a built-in mic and controller for answering calls and controlling volume and music playback.

The ATH-DSR9BT and ATH-DSR7BT are able to deliver Hi-Res Audio compliant playback from audio sources when connected via their included USB cable. All the controls and indicators for both models are mounted on one of the earcups for ready access. On both models, three LED indicators provide pairing and charging status, battery level and the codec in use. Both headphones feature soft formfitting foam earpads and a padded headband for total long-wearing comfort. Both models have a rechargeable battery that provides 15 hours continuous use (1,000 hours standby).

The Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT and ATH-DSR7BT Wireless Headphones with Pure Digital Drive Technology will be available in Spring 2017 at $US549.00 and $US299.00 respectively.

Celebrating over 50 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is a recognized leader in the development and manufacture of high-quality personal and professional audio equipment. Founded in Japan in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, the company made its name by manufacturing state-of-the-art phonograph cartridges and tonearms. Today, Audio-Technica is a worldwide group of companies devoted to creating high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, mixers, turntables, phono cartridges and other electronic products.

A reputation for quality, durability, performance and value has made Audio-Technica products the first choice for many of today’s top musical artists and audio engineers, and for discerning listeners everywhere. Drawing from its audiophile heritage, Audio-Technica remains dedicated to providing music enthusiasts with great-sounding, innovative audio gear, including the award-winning QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling headphones, popular ATH-M50x monitor headphones, versatile USB microphones, and new Hi-Res Audio headphones and high-fidelity gaming headsets. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com.